Switch for overhead tubular trolley-tracks.



Nu. 7us,|a9. Patented Aug. 5, 1902.

. P. F. WERNER.

SWITCH FOB OVERHEAD TUBULAR TROLLEY TRACKS.

(Application filed July 1-1, 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL F. WERNER, OF WILLIMANSETT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO OOBURNTROLLEY TRACKMANUFAOTURING COMPANY, OF I-IOL- YOKE, MASSACHUSETTS, ACORPORATION.

SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TUBULAR TROLLEY-TRACKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 706,139, dated August 5,1902.

Application filed July 11, 1901. SerialNo. 67,860. (No model.)

' To all whom, it may concern:

sett, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Switches for Overhead TubularTrolley-Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switches for overhead trolleytracks, and hasespecial reference to the tubular track construction, the object of theinvention being to provide a switch for a track of this descriptionwhich obviates the necessity of using a pivoted track-section swingingfrom the main line to one or more side tracks; and the inventionconsists in providing a plate transversely slidable across the maintrack and having tubular track-sections thereon adapted to bridge thespace between two ends-ofthe main track or between one end of the maintrack and the end of a side track on either side of the main track.

In the drawings forming part of this application, Figure 1 is aperspective view of an overhead tubular trolley-track having my improvedswitch applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a plate slidabletransversely of the main track. Fig. 3 is a. supporting-frame in whichsaid plate slides, also shown in perspective.

Referring now to the drawings, 2 indicates two ends of a divided maintrack, the extremities of which are supported, respectively, in thebrackets ,3 and 4 on a frame 5. This frame is preferably made ofcast-iron and has the brackets 3 andpreferably cast integrallytherewith, as shown in Fig. 1, and bolted to the ceiling. On said frame,if there be one side track, as 6,- there is provided a suitable bracket7 therefor, cast on theframe 5 on the right or left hand side of r thebracket 1-,according to whether the side track 6 be a right or a lefthand track. The use of the term side track applies to any track enteringthe'main line 2 The frame 5 is provided with a rectangular openingtherein for the reception of a plate 8, two opposite edges of which areprovided with the flanges 9, which rest on the lodges 10 of the frame 5,the top frame. On the plate 8 there are cast the track-sections, 11indicating that for completing the broken main line 2, and 12 indicatingthat for closing the break between one end of the main line and the endof a branch line, as 6. The dimensions of the rectangular opening in theframe 5 are such that the plate 8 in its sliding movements in said framemay move these track-sections 11 and 12 so that one end of either ofthese sections may register with the end of the track in the bracket 3,and when one is in registration therewith the end of the other sectionwill be blocked by its abutment against the flange 13 on the frame 5.This is a flange lying at right angles to the surface of the frame,which is screwed against the ceiling. Where there are two side tracksentering the main track at the same point, then the frame 5 is madewider and has another bracket, as 7, cast on the other side of thebracket 4, and the plate 8 has another track-section, as 12, castthereon.

Any suitable means may be employed for imparting to the plate 8 asuitable traverse motion which will bring any one of the tracksectionsthereon into registration with that end of the main line supported inthe bracket 3. In the drawings the means shown consist of a pulley-14,supported on an arm 15, secured to the ceiling. A rope 16 is passed anumber of times around the pulley l t, the

opposite ends of the rope hanging down within convenient reach of thehand. A crank 17 is secured to the pulley,and a connecting-rod 18extendsfromthe end of said crank to the side of the plate 8,'with which it ispivotally connected at 19. By pulling on one end or the other of therope the plate 8 may be moved in its frame.

It has beenfound that in tracks of ,this description which aredesignedto carry heavy loads the ordinary form of switch swinging from the mainto the side tracks is incapable of withstanding the load put upon it;but the device herein described is quite as rigid as the main trackitself, and the construction permits of attaining an accurateregistration between the ends of the track-sections on the switch-plateand the ends of the track, a furof said plate 8 being flush with the topof the ther advantage being that unless the switchengagement on saidledges, and slidable in plate is in place the passage of a hanger willsaid frame 5, and the track-sections 11 and be blocked. 12 under saidplate 8, registrable with said I 5 Having thus described my invention,what brackets 3 and 4, through sliding movements 5 I claim, and desireto secure byLetters Patent of the frame 8 in the frame 5, and means forof the United States, ismoving said frame 8, substantially as set Switchdevices for overhead trolleys coinforth. prising the main frame 5 havinga rectangular opening therein and the pending brackets to 3 and 4, aside bracket 7 thereunder, and the ledges 10 in the opposite bordersthereof, combined with the plate 8 having borders for 1 PAUL F. WERNER.

Witnesses:

H. A. CHAPIN, K. I. CLEMoNs.

